TEPCO: Unit 2 containment vessel leaking

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhuanet) -- In Japan, the Vice President of the Tokyo Electric Power Company, Sakae Muto, says the Containment Vessel of Fukushima Reactor 2 is leaking, and has probably been damaged. But he added that no problems have been found with the spent fuel rods in Reactor 4.

Meanwhile the nation's Chief Secretary, Yukio Edano, has arrived in Fukushima Prefecture for the first time since the disaster unfolded. Sunday's mission was aimed at explaining government policies to local leaders.

Edano says the administration will take full responsibility for the livelihoods of those evacuated. Late on Saturday, radioactivity around the facility was reported to have risen sharply once again, signaling the possibility of new leaks. Workers are continuing to spray water into the overheated reactors.